Enzo Fernandez broke a stunning streak to help Chelsea claim a 3-2 win over Brighton – but Mauricio Pochettino still has a big issue.
The Argentina midfielder was a world-record signing in January but despite his midfield role, hadn’t scored in the Premier League.
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Fernandez helped Chelsea to just their fourth win at home in 2023Credit: AFP
In 30 games he’d fired in 42 shots goalwards in an attempt to get himself on the scoresheet.
All had varying results but the one thing they had in common was their failure to cross the goal-line.
But against Brighton at Stamford Bridge he broke that streak and – just like the old adage about London buses you might spot outside the stadium – two came at once.
His first was a well-directed close-range header to give the Blues the lead after Benoit Badiashile lobbed the ball over his own head into the six-yard box.
A Levi Colwill header made it 2-0 before Facundo Buonanotte halved the deficit.
But Fernandez struck again in the second period – this time from 12 yards when Mykhailo Mudryk was felled by James Milner.
Seagulls striker Joao Pedro did have time to reduce the arrears in added time, though.
But Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino will, more than likely be furious as his side had another man sent off.
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Milner fouled Mudryk to concede a second-half penaltyCredit: Getty
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Fernandez tucked the ball home delightedlyCredit: Getty
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Gallagher was sent off in the opening period – but luckily his teammates fought hard for victoryCredit: Getty
In the first-half, Conor Gallagher, captain in place of the suspended Reece James, was dismissed for two yellow cards – their second red card in a week and their third of the season so far.
Only Liverpool have had more (four), while Burnley, Tottenham, and Wolves have also had three men given their marching orders.
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That’s more than any other side, while the Blues have also received 47 yellow cards – also the highest in the Premier League.
And the end of the match saw further ill-discipline as players clashed at the final whistle.
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James was sent off last weekend against NewcastleCredit: Getty
Brighton thought they had been given a penalty but VAR helped overrule Craig Pawson’s on-field decision.
In the aftermatch, rather than giving a corner as the ball had left play after striking Levi Colwill, a drop-ball to Chelsea was given.
This led to dismay and players continued to disagree after full-time.
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